New urban reserve planned for Hampton Village

A patch of land in Hampton Village is set to become Saskatoon’s next urban reserve.

The 40 acre plot is owned by the Kahkewistahaw First Nation.

Chief Evan Taypotat said their main goal is economic development.

“We can do jobs. If we can do jobs, we can make money. If we can make money, we can provide opportunity for these people,” he said in a city council meeting.

He thinks this is an important step towards Indigenous reconciliation.

“If we do opportunity, we break that damn cycle of the residential school that’s left right now,” he said.

“Mayor (Charlie) Clark always says ‘we lead the nation in reconciliation.’ You’re damn right you do.”

Taypotat thinks the area has lots of potential, and hopes to bring a wide variety of businesses.

“We want McDonalds, we want hockey rinks, we want gymnastics areas.”

Mayor Clark agreed on the potential the area has.

“It’s a real win-win for Saskatoon, for the First Nation, and for all of our residents together,” he told 650 CKOM.

The reserve would pay a fee on development that costs the same as standard property taxes.

There is no specific timeline yet, but Taypotat is excited to get to work.

“We’re looking forward to getting some shovels in the ground, infrastructure. Let’s make some money, and let’s make Saskatoon a better place for us all,” he concluded.

 With files from Brady Lang